State: Victoria, Australia
Issued on: Departure
Date of presentation: 20/03/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, suitably inscribed, to:
4th Bn. Australian Commonwealth Horse (Victorian Contingent) –
2398 Private William Joseph WITTINGSLOW
Presentation made at the Carriers' Arms Hotel, Winter's Flat.
Inscribed: "Presented to Mr W. Wittingslow, of the 2nd Commonwealth Contingent, by his Winter's Flat friends".
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Mount Alexander Mail, 21st March 1902
Private W. WITTINGSLOW, a member of the 4th Battalion Infantry Brigade for five years, who has been enrolled as a member of the 2nd Australian Contingent, was accorded a double send-off last night. The first took place at the Mount Alexander Hotel, where a very pleasant hour was spent in harmony with his old club mates of the Central football team and supporters. Mr W. Hume, on behalf of the members of the club, presented to Mr WITTINGSLOW a handsome silver-mounted spirit flask, which he hoped he would carry through the campaign and return in safety. The flask has engraved on its silver cup — "Presented to Private W. Wittingslow, 2nd Australian Contingent, by the supporters of the Central Football Club on the occasion of his departure for South Africa, 20/3/92". His health was then drunk with musical honours. Private WITTINGSLOW returned thanks, and was pleased he was leaving no enemies behind him. He would carry the flask with him, and hoped to be with them again after the war was finished. The proceedings concluded with singing the club song of the Centrals and Auld Lang Syne. An adjournment was then made to the Carriers' Arms Hotel, Winter's Flat. On arriving there, the guest was heartily welcomed by the representatives of the residents of Winter's Flat, and where the licensee of the Carriers' Arms Hotel had provided a very nice spread. After a good programme of music Mr WITTINGSLOW was presented with a gold medal as a token of esteem, on which was inscribed — "Presented to Mr W. Wittingslow, of the 2nd Commonwealth Contingent, by his Winter's Flat friends". It was hoped that he would be spared to come back victorious with the V.C. on his breast. A very pleasant evening was spent, and the proceedings closed with Auld Lang Syne.
